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I considered avoiding this subject but as it unfolds via the media it seemed more important to speak to. I only want to offer a few observations to hopefully help us in getting past this, as well as avoiding things like this in the future. First I want to say I am ashamed that this, if in fact it actually did, began from a Christian. It seems to me that if the follower of Christ would understand where the battle lies they would be doing more good than disgracing our intellectually rich tradition, known as Christianity. It also seems very necessary to mention the fact that many on the left have decided to make a mistake in exploiting the event as ammunition against religion. I find this remarkably funny, in that, no one is being honest on his or her side in expressing the fact that this has nothing to do with faith, at all. It would seem to show that most that oppose religion, especially Christianity, know nearly nothing of its actual tenants. Second I would like to point out the “extra” media attention given to this event. It would appear that this is more important to the media than those propagating it. Have we forgotten much the more serious atrocities of the commodification of baby parts, not to mention the destruction of life of the unborn? Everyone is looking for that advantage to refute the other side or possibly smear opposing views. Shouldn’t we be a little more diplomatic, maybe a little more informed and that goes for both sides of this ordeal.

As I see this, followers of Jesus would and should expect this from the world, and Paul tells us so. We are not called to destroy the world or create a theocracy but to be counter-culture to be in the world and not of it. Whether its Starbucks, Target or any other retailer that decides to succumb to the norms of secular culture and dismiss the Christian faith and its holiday practices, it does not carry with it the power to undo history. Jesus is risen and we as Christians should know how to defend that and many other aspects of our tradition and do so with dignity and respect toward others. So the take away from the “Cup Controversy” should be the understanding that we all need to learn to separate the major ideas from the minor ones. As we do so it will enable us to engage our world with reason and not ridicule. It will aid in carrying on conversations that actually count.